Weekend Trips from NYC: A Rustic Catskills Tipi

Living in the city and dealing with the daily commuting chaos here during the week, it’s nice to unwind and escape during the weekend. While searching for fall weekend trips from NYC I came across Mystic Lodge, a beautiful tipi situated at the base of some mountains. It’s on the property near the house where the hosts live, and right next to a common area barn with basic necessities. There are also other tipis available throughout the property, some more secluded and fully immersed with nature. If you’re looking for a unique and humbling experience without modern luxuries then this is the perfect place.

Weekend Trips from NYC: Mystic Lodge Blue Jay Tipi

Mystic Lodge is located in Bovina, NY in a valley near the Catskills. The drive on the way there was fairly smooth and easy. As you get to the Catskills it becomes beautifully scenic with windy mountain roads and quaint little towns scattered throughout. With it being early October we saw fall colors making their appearance with hints of yellows and orange mixed in with the greenery from summer. As you get closer the roads get more rugged and narrow. Once you’re close to the address, just look for a big barn and the tipi next to it.

We were welcomed by Chris, one of the hosts who lives on the property. He provided us some firewood for the night and gave more details on the property and amenities. He was very easy to talk to and made us feel very comfortable. It was interesting to hear the process of making the tipis and also about the area. To learn more about and appreciate tipis and their history read here.

After getting settled, we spent some time exploring the property and taking photos. Since we brought our drone with us we wanted to get some nice aerial shots surrounding and also of the mountains. The fall colors made for some gorgeous shots and added some warmth to the landscape.

The Tipi and Property

I was pleasantly surprised at how decked out the tipi was inside. There was a full-sized bed, a picnic basket, plenty of blankets, and a wood burning stove to keep warm. Complementary decor was sprinkled throughout with a dreamcatcher hanging above. On the ground was a cowhide rug, which made it extra cozy. If you’re struggling with getting a strong fire going, Lisa and Chris will gladly assist and welcome any other help you may need with anything. Their house is conveniently located nearby so it’s easy to find them.

Also on the property was a barn. Inside there’s a power strip with electricity and a fridge with coffee/tea next to it. There’s also some furniture to sit and have another place to hang out. Outside of the barn is an outhouse and a rustic sink setup with fresh mountain spring water inside a glass jug. It was quite a unique experience brushing our teeth in the fresh mountain air.

Where to Eat

Dinner
There are a lot of great food options in this area. Since we had our daughter with us, we thought pizza would be perfect so we went to Table on Ten, located in Bloomville and a scenic 20 minute drive from the tipi. It was very charming and also busy, so expect a long wait. When you arrive you first order your meal, then you find a place to sit and they will bring it to you. We chose to sit in the outdoor picnic table area which was beautifully lit with string lights.

The pizza was so worth the wait. Everything is so flavorful and even the dough was delicious. There were a lot of unique flavor combos, but we went with a simple margherita and the smoked ham. They also had seasonal specials to choose from as well. All the ingredients tasted so fresh and it was perfectly cooked. In addition to pizza there are small plates including salads and soups, and also desserts.

Breakfast
After researching on breakfast places in the area we settled on Blue Bee Cafe, located in the main area of Delhi, a cute town about 15 minutes away. They open at 10am and there was already a line when we got there beforehand. It’s an adorable and cozy place and the interior has a lot of antique charm.

The staff was super attentive and kind. The food was simply divine and is made with local, seasonal ingredients. I went with an omelet which included roasted potatoes coated with olive oil and herbs, and also a choice of toast. We also got a club sandwich with potato salad, and a yogurt parfait for Terra with fresh granola, fruit and honey. I was very impressed overall with the experience here and highly recommend if you choose to stay around the area.

Reconnecting with Nature

After breakfast we got back just in time for check-out, which is at 12pm. If you’re in search of weekend trips from NYC, or even for a nice experience in the Catskills coming from out of state, the Blue Jay Tipi is the perfect place to find peace with nature. The fresh air, beautiful scenery, open space, and lack of phone signal will allow you to refresh and recharge.

Have you ever stayed in a tipi? We’d love to hear about it!

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